My 3 year old has been talking in the 3rd person for the last 2 days. Should I be concerned?

Question

Is this a phase or should I be concerned?

Answer 1

I see this question posted a lot. Im sure its normal :D

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry at all, as long as he eventually drops it, but 2 days isn't a very long time.  Kids at that age often have weird, and sometimes funny, ways of speaking, since they are just starting to learn language and are even having fun with speaking in different ways.  A 3 year old is still young enough that strange little speech habits are probably perfectly fine (at that age, kids have all kinds of funny ways of speaking).

Answer 3

I think thats awesome.  Kids have amazing imaginations when they're younger and all us adults ever want to do is supress that...if I had a three year old doing what your child is doing I would be happy that I had a child full of originality and spark.

I think its a great thing, he/she might be a great actor or writer when he's older if you channel his/her talents

Answer 4

what would you be concerned about? there are far worse things, man. i used to talk in the third person all the time. still do. livens things up a bit.

Answer 5

He will grow out of it hopefully.

Answer 6

Only 3 years old. Sounds to be ok

Answer 7

Be sure you are not talking to your child in these tones and i am sure it will disappear soon.

Answer 8

Im 20 years old and I still talk in third person, but only when im around my close friends and we are just having a good time, but not the whole conversation.

Its completely normal, they will grow out of it.

Answer 9

children do not learn the concept that the world exists outside of them until a little later. its perfectly normal and expected.

Answer 10

shes 3, no you shouldnt be concerend

Answer 11

Not at all.Kid goes through this kind of phases now and then . He will be just fine after some time. Dont be concern and dont make him very concious about it. Just enjoy time with him on every phase.

Answer 12

when i was in 2nd grade the teachers all talked to the students in 3rd person. it was totally ANNOYING!! lol

Answer 13

I really wouldn't worry about it unless it goes on for a longer period of time.  I have known children with Autism who talk like this, but I wouldn't worry unless other issues arise.

Answer 14

No not at all, they should be also forming their imaginary friendships about now too :-)

Answer 15

I'm sure it's normal. Many of my freinds did, and still do. Kids at that age to very weird things. But if it really concerns you go to a doctor or phsyciatrist and get him/her evaluated.

Answer 16

Talk to him and ask him why is he talking in a 3rd person and say that he should not talk in a 3rd person. And If it gets serious, talk to your doctor, ask the doctor what you can do to make your son to stop talking in a 3rd person and in baby talk.

Hope he stops,

emobunnygurl

Answer 17

No, she's probably just picked up the 3rd person. It's a phase.

Answer 18

Yes nothing to worry about.  I taught 3 year olds and heard many do it.  It's a phase.... The baby talk most likely is for attention.  That is a very hard age, you are not a toddler anymore but not quite cognitively mature as a 4 year old.  I often saw 3 year olds use the "baby talk" because they wanted attention and people would give it to them.  Model speaking for them and when they talk like a baby tell them you can't understand them and to use a big kid voice.  I found that after they realized they get what they want using a normal voice they stop (haha well for the most part).

side note- I do not agree with the ignore speech until 10.  I have seen so many children benefit from early intervention.  Many times if you catch a speech delay or problem early it can be completely eliminated.  Although if you ignore it, it becomes more difficult to treat later.   =)    It is important to correct them by repeating it the right way and having them repeat.  (without to much pressure of course)

Answer 19

Nothing about your child's speaking should concern you until they're probably 10 or so (and even then, speech imperfections are normal).

At this stage, your child understands that his/her name is a substitute for saying "I" or "me", and right now thinks they're randomly interchangable.  Believe it or not, this is progression in language acquisition.  

Don't try to correct anything until the child is older, like I said, about 10, because it won't stick.  Learning to speak isn't like learning anything else; a succession of truths and falses won't help.  They'll learn by observation, without even knowing it, and the utterances come to match what they hear.  It's not all conscious, either.

All in all, don't be concerned about your child's language use for several years yet.

Answer 20

For two days? heaven's no!    So many other things to worry about in this world!

Seriously, if he is still doing this for months, just model the correct way to say things - "Mikey wants a cookie" - and you answer "can you say I want a cookie?" - he'll get it - don't worry!